Passenger Counts Surge at Dulles with Airport’s Growth

Loudoun-based Dulles International Airport is celebrating a fourth straight year of passenger growth, cracking 24 million total passengers for the first time since 2007.

This pushes it past Reagan National Airport in nearby Arlington for the first time since 2014.

The 5.1 percent overall growth in passengers marks the largest year-over-year percentage growth since 2007. It was aided by new flights from United, Frontier, Southwest, Cathay Pacific, Air India, Sun Country and Volaris airlines.

The airport’s increase in international travelers was even more impressive, with 6.3 percent growth to more than 8.2 million travelers. That is the most international passengers in the airport’s 57-year history.

“The ability to step on a direct flight to most points in the world from Dulles Airport is a serious advantage when operating a business with a growing global reach,” Joe Brennan Jr., founder and CEO of Loudoun-based technology business SportAD, told us. “We cannot have a better platform to grow than Loudoun.”

Dulles Airport currently offers non-stop flights to 83 domestic and 55 international cities. That’s 35 percent more destinations than any other airport in the D.C. region.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which runs Dulles, has also announced plans to make $60 million in upgrades to the Dulles Airport’s United hub, with construction beginning this Spring.

“Dulles is a great hub,” said Andrew Nocella, chief commercial officer of United, told Flight Global last April. “We continue to evaluate how to take advantage of [unused gate space]. I think there’s opportunity to grow that in the future.”

Starting in 2020, Dulles Airport will welcome the Metrorail Silver Line, providing greater opportunity for regional travelers. Trains are already being tested on the tracks near the airport’s iconic terminal.

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